WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters program. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
While there was discussion ranging from Kent County mental health care to a new brewery in Wyoming presented Monday, April 9, as part of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meeting, a nuanced difference of political opinion on the federal level lead off the morning program.
Local representatives of U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) and U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan 2nd District)— Sen. Peter’s West Michigan Regional Director Peter Dickow and Rep. Huizenga’s District Director Greg VanWoerkom — offered differences of opinion on the politically changed debate on gun control and student protests in the wake of the Florida school shooting.
In response to a topic introduction by the meeting moderator, Dickow and VanWoerkom expressed not only their bosses’ stand on the issue but, subtly, their own.
“The question about the most recent energy being driven from the students or from adults, personally I don’t know if the senator has an opinion on that directly,” Dickow said. “… (but) it has been pretty impressive to see the energy from the students, nationwide. I know that the senator and his wife were among those that did actually march in Washington (D.C.) recently. … Whether that is going to result in congressional changes? I think that remains to be seen.”
VanWoerkom, however, wanted to talk more about how Rep. Huizenga is more focused on school safety overall rather than a focus on gun control as the only answer.
“We are trying to see it as … How do we ensure our schools remain safe, what are the resources they need,” he said. “We all want our kids safe and that is kind of what I am focusing on from a personal level, as a school board president, and then from a legislative perspective. What are the tools, resources, that schools need to ensure parents feel safe sending their kids there.”
VanWoerkom, incidentally and in addition to his work as district director for Rep. Huizenga, is running as a Republican for the Michigan 91st District State Representative seat currently held by Rep. Holly Hughes, also a Republican.
The monthly meeting brings together government leaders of all levels to discuss issues of importance and presents those discussions through WKTV’s live, delayed and on-demand broadcasts.
The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other regional, State of Michigan and Federal elected officials. The next meeting will be May 14 at Kentwood City Hall.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktvondemand.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.
Michigan Golden Gloves Boxing action will again be covered by the WKTV sports coverage crew. (Supplied)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org
WKTV’s Mike Moll.
Many of the local schools have the first week of April off for their spring breaks, but after that, the spring seasons all pick up in full swing, mother nature permitting that is. The WKTV truck and crew will once again be visible at local events as they bring viewers a pair of girls’ water polo matches along with a softball game during the monthly schedule.
They will be busy outside of the local high school scene as well when they cover the GVSU Lubbers Cup, along with coverage of the Golden Gloves boxing. Be sure to check the weekly schedule to see when they will be broadcast.
Each will be broadcast live or replay on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
The busy tentative April WKTV feature broadcast schedule with tentative day and time of broadcast, includes:
Tuesday, April 10, East Kentwood girls water polo vs. Zeeland West (Tuesday, April 17, at 11 p.m. and Wednesday, April 18, at 5 p.m)
Friday-Sunday, April 13-15, GVSU Lubbers Cup (Live Saturday, April 14, 10-noon and 4-7 p.m.)
Saturday, April 14, Golden Gloves Boxing (Sunday, April 15 at Noon)
Wednesday, April 18, Kelloggsville softball vs Tri-Unity/Calvin Christian (Friday, April 20, at 11 p.m. and Saturday, April 21, at 5 p.m.)
Friday, April 20, Golden Gloves Boxing (Saturday, April 21, at 11 a.m.)
Tuesday, April 24, East Kentwood girls water polo vs. Portage Central (11 p.m. night of and repeat on Wednesday at 5 p.m)
Friday, April 27, Golden Gloves Boxing (Saturday, April 28, at 11 a.m.)
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of high school sports. (WKTV)
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
Following is the this week’s complete high school sports schedule:
Monday, April 9
Boys Lacrosse
South Christian @ Jenison
Boys Baseball
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Girls Softball
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights – DH
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville – DH
Girls Soccer
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
Barry County Christian @ West Michigan Aviation
Tuesday, April 10
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ Wyoming – DH
West Michigan Aviation @ Belding – DH
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood – DH
Potter’s House @ Barry County Christian
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Wyoming – DH
Cedar Springs @ East Kentwood – DH
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Wyoming
Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian
Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian
Hudsonville Hornets @ West Michigan Aviation
Grand Haven @ East Kentwood
Hope Academy @ Potter’s House
Boys Golf
Calvin Christian @ South Christian
Wellsprings Prep @ Tri-Unity Christian
Girls Tennis
East Kentwood @ South Christian – Cookie Invite
Jenison @ Wyoming
Boys/Girls Track
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Girls Water Polo
Zeeland West @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event
Wednesday, April 11
Girls Softball
South Christian @ Caledonia – DH
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Unity Christian @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ Wyoming
Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville
Byron Center @ East Kentwood
Boys/Girls Track
South Christian @ FH Eastern
Boys Baseball
Godwin Heights @ Hopkins
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee
Girls Soccer
Hopkins @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville
Boys Golf
East Kentwood @ Grandville
Thursday, April 12
Boys Baseball
Wyoming @ South Christian
GR Crusdaers @ Wyoming Lee
Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary
Holland Calvary @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian – DH
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Potter’s House @ Western Michigan Christian
Girls Soccer
Wayland @ South Christian
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Saugatuck @ Zion Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Heritage Christian
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Boys Lacrosse
Muskegon Mona Shores @ South Christian
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Kent County Championships
East Kentwood @ Kent County Championships
Boys/Girls Track
Benton Harbor @ Godwin Heights
Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins
NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville
Grandville @ East Kentwood
Girls Tennis
Muskegon Catholic Central @ Tri-Unity Christian
@ East Kentwood – Quad
Girls Softball
Caledonia @ East Kentwood
Girls Water Polo
West Ottawa @ East Kentwood
Friday, April 13
Girls Soccer
Potter’s House @ Godwin Heights
Ottawa Hills @ Wyoming Lee
NorthPointe Christian @ Zion Christian
Hudsonville Hornets @ Tri-Unity Christian
East Kentwood @ Northview
Boys Golf
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Boys Baseball
Zion Christian vs Potter’s House @ Cornerstone University
Barry County Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – DH
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Saline – Invite
Saturday, April 14
Boys Baseball
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Godwin Heights @ Wyoming – Invite
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming- Invite
Union @ Kelloggsville – DH
Girls Softball
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Christian – Christian Invite
Kelloggsville @ Kenowa Hills – Wilson Classic
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ East Kentwood – EK Invite
Kelloggsville @ Wyoming – Invitational
Boys/Girls Track
South Christian @ Unity Christian – Houseward Invite
Wyoming @ Comstock Park
West Michigan Aviation @ Lakewood
East Kentwood @ Mansfield/Mehock Relays
Potter’s House @ Big Rapids Crossroads Academy
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ Saline – Invite
Monday, April 16
Girls Soccer
South Christian @ Christian
Wyoming @ FH Eastern
Wyoming Lee @ Belding
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
Grand River Prep @ Lake Odessa Lakewood
Fruitport Calvary @ Potter’s House
Boys Golf
South Christian @ Forest Hills Invite
Tri-Unity Christian @ Kelloggsville
Girls Tennis
South Christian @ Wayland
Wyoming @ East Grand Rapids
Kelloggsville @ West Catholic
East Kentwood @ West Ottawa
Boys Baseball
Union @ Godwin Heights
Belding @ Wyoming Lee
Kelloggsville @ Calvin Christian
West Michigan Aviation @ Barry County Christian – DH
Kelloggsville Public Schools will hosting its 2018 Kindergarten Round up on Tuesday, April 10 from 6 – 7 p.m .at the East Kelloggsville Elementary School, 4656 Jefferson Ave. SE. Children must 5 years old by Sept. 1, 2018 to enter kindergarten.
The 2018 Preschool Registration for 3- and 4-year-old programs already has started. To register a children or children who will be 3- or 4-year-old by Sept. 1, 2018, go to the Early Childhood Center, 977 44th St. SW.
To register a student for either kindergarten or preschool, a parent must bring a bright certificate, a short record and two proofs of residency.
It was a packed house as East Kentwood High School hosted its fourth annual FIRST Robotics event just before Easter.
More than 800 students from around West Michigan and as far away as Troy and Milan, competed at the two-day event in hopes of landing a spot in the state competition set for April 12-14 at Saginaw Valley State University.
Teams for the Kentwood and Wyoming area included home team East Kentwood’s Red Storm, Wyoming High School’s Demons, Lee High School’s Rebel Robotics, Potter House’s Tactical Hams, and the West Michigan Aviation Academy’s Team Spitfire. There also were teams from Grandville and Grand Rapids such as Ottawa Hills High School.
After 80 some qualifying rounds, the final eight teams were announced Saturday afternoon with team alliance selections made for the semi-finals. Several of the local teams including East Kentwood’s Red Storm, Wyoming’s Demons, Lee’s Rebel Robotics, and Potter House’s Tactical Hams made the semi-finals.
Top Dawgs: Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs took home the prestigious Chairman’s Award.
But it would be the alliance of Kalamazoo’s Strike Force, Newaygo’s NC Gears, and Hackett Catholic Prep’s Irish Robotics that would bring home the win.
Several local teams did receive awards with Grandville’s Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs taking home the Chairman’s Award. This is the most prestigious award at FIRST as it honors the team that best represents a model for other teams to emulate and best embodies the purpose and goals of FIRST. Teams who have earned the Regional and District Championship Chairman’s Award can travel to the FIRST Championship to be considered for the Chairman’s Award.
Code Red Robotics the Stray Dogs along with Wayland’s Widlcats and Lee’s Rebel Robotics were a district event finalist. The Wayland Wildcats also earned the Industrial Design Award sponsored by General Motors.
Receiving the Highest Rookie Seed was Potter’s House’s Tactical Hams and the Gracious Professionalism Award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson went to Grandville’s The RoboDawgs.
WKTV broadcast the event live on Saturday, March 31. Visit wkvt.viebet.com to see the broadcast or check the WKTV TV schedule at wktv.org or wktvjournal.org.
Wyoming’s Ideal Park suffered damage in 2014 as a tornado caused serve damage to landscape and destroyed the park’s playground. (Supplied)
By Kent County
Dangerous, deadly weather can strike in an instant. Last July, severe thunderstorms hit southwest Lower Michigan, causing hundreds of trees and power lines to fall from Grand Haven to near Jackson. One gust measured 88 mph at Grand Valley State University. Kent County has a system of sirens to alert residents of high winds or tornadoes.
Starting Friday, April 6, and continuing on the first Friday of every month at noon through October, tornado alarm testing should be heard in Kent County homes and businesses. The beginning seasonal siren testing coincides with Michigan Severe Weather Awareness Week, April 9-13.
While some communities in Michigan plan to test their severe weather alerts on Wednesday, April 11, at 1 p.m., Kent County will test sirens on the first Friday in April, as has been a long-standing policy in the County. We encourage businesses owners, school officials and families to set aside April 11 as a day to review emergency plans and procedures.
It is important to plan in advance for disasters to know how you and your family will get to a safe place, how to contact each other and what to do in different situations.
“Earlier this year, our threat was flooding. We were fortunate that early warnings had everyone on stand-by, especially those living in flood-prone areas,” said Jack Stewart, Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator. “High winds and tornadoes are obviously much more difficult to predict. Having an emergency plan in advance is critical to everyone’s safety and survival.”
If you don’t hear the sirens April 6 at noon, please contact your local township or city office.
Be vigilant whenever severe weather is in the forecast. While no location is completely safe from a tornado or severe thunderstorm, it is important to seek all possible protection. Smartphone apps are available that will provide notification of weather watches and warnings.
Severe weather “watch”means the potential exists for the development of storms/tornadoes, so be mindful of changing conditions. Severe weather “warning”mean that storms are imminent or occurring.
Move indoors to a place of safety. If it is a Tornado Warning, take shelter in a location on the lowest level of the building, such as the basement, or in a small, windowless room at the innermost part of the building.
If a disaster occurs, it may be easier to make a phone call to a designated out-of-town contact, as phone lines may be overwhelmed. Make sure that person is aware that he or she is the designated contact. Pet owners should have a disaster plan for pets as well. This is a great time to review severe weather plans, refresh supplies and make sure preparations are complete. Check flashlights and stock up on fresh batteries. Homes should have enough fresh drinking water and canned food items for three days, a can opener, an all-weather radio, and a first aid kit.
Kent County’s “Honoring the Dream” memorial event, held April 4 at Grand Rapid’s Calder Plaza in memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th Anniversary of his assassination, held special meaning to many of the people in attendance.
But it also held a very personal meaning to Wayman Britt, Kent County Administrator/Controller.
It did not escape Britt, an African-American recently selected to lead the daily operation of the county, that he, himself, was an example of the inclusion and opportunities Kent County leaders advocate for and work to embrace.
Wyman Britt, on the set of WKTV Journal: In Focus
“Dr. King meant a lot to a lot of us, and we remember what he stood for … I believe his dream is still alive, but we have to do more,” Britt said to WKTV. “What it does for me is it reinforces the role that I play as a leader in this community. That I do not need to be shy as to who I am: I am a black man who grew up in North Carolina and, one day, believed he would have a place in life to serve others. … I know the labor Dr. King and others put forth so that I could be in a place to serve.”
The event drew a crowd of several hundred despite the cold, wet noontime weather. It was hosted by the county Administrator’s Office, the Kent County’s Board of Commissioners and the county’s Cultural Insight Council.
The event began with a presentation of the colors by the Kent County Sheriff’s Honor Guard, the pledge of allegiance led by County Commissioner Robert Womack, and the invocation by Bishop Dennis J. McMurray. It ended with a prayer by Rev. Dr. Willie A. Gholston II.
Matthew Budd leading a poem of tribute at the Kent County event. (WKTV)
In between there was a poetic tribute by Matthew Budd and a musical tribute by Ashlie Johnson, as well as the reading of a proclamation by the County Commissioners and a moment of silence led by county Undersheriff Michelle Lajoye-Young.
There were also remarks by Britt, who, in part, discussed the county’s efforts towards diversity and inclusion, including the work of the Cultural Insight Council.
The Cultural Insight Council is a Kent County’s designed to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Formed in January 2001, the CIC is an interdepartmental work group sponsored by the Administrator’s Office. The council is comprised of employees of diverse backgrounds, representing all levels of the organization. Its mission, according to the county’s website, is “To act as a catalyst to foster a culture which recognizes, accepts and values the individual differences of its employees and is responsive to the changing needs of our diverse community.”
“We wanted to gather as a community and spend a few minutes reflecting on the lessons of Dr. King’s life and death,” Darius Quinn, county human resources manager and chair of the CIC, said in supplied material prior to the event. “The CIC is dedicated to providing an environment where diversity, equity and inclusion are valued. This event is a reflection of the standard the County staff strives to achieve every day.”
Spring is here and it’s time to focus on health and wellness in the City of Wyoming!
The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is excited to once again host the annual Health and Wellness Expo at the Wyoming Senior Center — a free event for all ages on Saturday, April 21 at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 De Hoop Ave SW. The event will be held from 1-3 pm. Local health organizations will be represented sharing services and local resources with community members.
“Spring is a great time to focus on health and wellness as the weather warms and outdoor activities begin”, said Rebecca Rynbrandt, director of community services for the City of Wyoming. “This community event is a great way to connect the community with local resources focused on health and overall well-being. The Health and Wellness Expo gives everyone an opportunity to sample, explore and try something new.”
The Expo will feature free blood pressure checks from lead sponsor Med Express Urgent Care in Wyoming, yoga and Zumba demonstrations. There will also be a variety of vendors providing great resources and personalized interaction. There will be many samples and giveaway prizes for participants.
About Wyoming Parks and Recreation
The City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department is committed to creating community through people, parks and programs by providing services, facilities and activities for the citizens of Wyoming and the greater metropolitan area. For more information about Parks and Recreation programs and events please contact the City of Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department at 616.530.3164 or parks_info@wyomingmi.gov or visit our web site at: www.wyomingmi.gov.
The new master plan for Wyoming’s Gezon Park was approved by the City Council Monday night, following what the city’s Director of Community Services called “arguably, the most vetted park development plan ever presented to the City Council for approval.”
Highlights of the new plan, which updates a 1996 park master plan, includes significantly less development in the center portion of the park than the original plan but expanded parking in the south end and more modern recreational amenities in both the north and south ends. The total cost of the project is estimated at about $6 million and would begin in 2020.
Gezon Park is one of four parks in line for improvements and renovations. (WKTV)
Gezon Park, which was a city-owned well field, encompasses about 94 acres between Gezon Parkway and 52nd Street. It has entrances from both Gezon Parkway and 52nd Street. team sport fields and restrooms are currently located near the south Gezon Parkway entrance and the 52nd Street entrance has playground equipment and walking trails.
The southernmost portion of the park has been developed as an athletic complex featuring baseball, softball and football fields. The northernmost portion has been developed with a small shelter, playground and basketball court. The interior of the park is undeveloped.
“There is more development in the sense of shelters (than the original plan) but less development in overall active recreation, such as soccer fields,” Rebecca Rynbrandt, Director of Community Services, said following the City Council action April 2. The middle portion of the mostly undeveloped portion of the park “is relatively undeveloped with the exception of the bike path.”
For the complete, approved design map, produced by Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, see the City of Wyoming City Council full agenda link. (It is the large graphic about halfway though the agenda package.)
The plan, designed by consultant Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio, has been developed through extensive input from the community, according to a report given to the City Council, including more than 3,000 contacts via social media and electronic surveys, personal correspondence, and public input meetings.
“The final park master plan had been developed through extensive input from the community, through surveys, personal correspondence, and public input meetings. Complementary input was also received from staff, including representatives recreation programming, maintenance, engineering, and utilities,” the report states. “… The final development master plan concept has been reviewed by both the Parks and Recreation and Planning Commissions and has been unanimously recommended to the City Council.”
“We want that participation and that transparency,” Rynbrandt previously said about the public input process. “I think, when we have that type of public focus, it reaffirms the values the citizens put on parks and recreation in our community.”
The construction cost estimate is just over $6 million, and construction of the new development proposal will occur in phases, initially using the recent, successful millage proposal to flex funds from the Library Maintenance Millage to park development. The library millage would be used to fund bonds for park development.
The City Council report stated that it is anticipated that the first phase of Gezon Park development will occur in 2020 at a cost of about $2 million, after current plans for repair and development of other city parks.
“That is just trying to balance our workloads” on planned city park improvements and restoration, Rynbrandt said. Future funding for the next phases of Gezon Park development “will most likely be from grants,” not from the library millage flex funds.
“We made a commitment that we are not going to to over-leverage (the library millage), we still need that core of the library maintenance funds to support library services. We are not going to do anything to hurt that,” she said.
With City Council approval, the new master plan will be used as the primary strategic planning tool for the redevelopment of Gezon Park, and is necessary for the City of Wyoming to seek and obtain grants from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the City Council report stated.
For 33 years, Joseph Cramer sent area residents on mind-bending treasure hunts. Not for the short on patience, each hunt began with a nebulous riddle and ended with a prize: a silver medallion from Cramer’s vast collection.
One riddle went like this: Riding my bicycle fast enough to almost soar; seeing plastic shredding from my shoelaces. I think not but doggone. I stop at the first just for safety’s sake. There you go. It’s there.
Yup. That’s it. But there was a method to this madness — a curious combination of silver and carbon monoxide.
First, the silver: Cramer grew up idolizing the Lone Ranger, who was all about silver. (Think: silver bullets. Even his horse was named Silver.) So, Cramer began collecting silver. To this day, he prefers it to gold.
But it was exposure to carbon monoxide in an industrial accident in the late 1970s that changed Cramer’s life forever and put him on the path to creating riddles. The poison affected Cramer’s memory, and he didn’t know who he was. He also lost his social skills.
“It caused amnesia for two years,” said Cramer. “I was scared. I didn’t know what to do. And I had no feelings. And then in 1980, I started to come out of it but I was confused. I thought in very strange ways. It was difficult.”
A friend suggested that Cramer create riddles that mirrored his thoughts. He did, and in this way, exercised his mind. The process helped him recover. It took months, years to get his memory back.
“The riddle is a fun way for people by chance or by intent to learn about carbon monoxide poisoning and what it can do,” said Cramer, who became known as ‘The Wyoming Riddler’. “I’ve never wanted anybody or their family to go through what my family and I did. And it brought me out of my shell.”
The riddles were designed to be difficult. And what better way to reward a hardworking riddle-solver than with a silver medallion?
But how could Cramer possibly foresee the immense popularity of his riddle-making? Well, he couldn’t. From a mere few folks at first, to hundreds of people from across the globe requesting riddles, the venture took on a huge life of its own.
But still, what remained at the heart of the matter was Cramer’s wish to warn people about carbon monoxide poisoning.
Ken DeHart listens as the Wyoming Riddler reveals his secrets on March 17 with WKTV VOICES
“When I talk about carbon monoxide poisoning, I want each and every person to get a little bit of an idea what it was like for me not to have any past,” said Cramer. “Without a past, you can’t create a future. And these riddles — nobody’s ever read anything like that before, so they didn’t have anything to go by. And so I kind of brought them in a little bit.”
VOICES, a personal and family history project collects, preserves, and shares the narratives and memories of West Michigan people from all backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. It’s absolutely free. The only cost is your time and your story, whatever that may be. VOICES offers a comfortable portable video recording studio within a relaxed atmosphere.
Know a few people who’d like to share their personal or family stories and experiences at your location? VOICES will come to you! VOICES is the perfect vehicle for collecting stories from retirement communities, schools or similar organizations where people are motivated and interested in preserving their memories for posterity.
It’s a great way to commemorate significant milestones, enrich relationships, and connect with people who are important to your organization.
To learn more, call 616.261.5700 and ask for VOICES, or email Victoria at victoria@wktv.org .
To reserve a time to share your memories, go here .
The Wyoming branch of the Kent District Library will be the location of a discussion series this month. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The World Affairs Council of West Michigan, in partnership with the Kent District Library and located at the KDL’s Wyoming branch, will offer a three-part spring discussion series titled “Cultivating Community through Civil Discourse beginning April 10.
The series, according to supplied information, “explores ways to make our community one that’s characterized by civility and respect for all.”
All events in the series are free and open to the public, and will be held at the Wyoming Branch, Kent District Library, 3350 Michael Ave. SW, Wyoming. The time will be 6:30-7:30 p.m. No reservations are needed and there will be free parking.
The first discussion, on Tuesday, April 10, will be “Searching for a Reconfigured ‘We the People’: Embracing Counter Narratives for Just and Civil Discourse” and will feature David Hooker, Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies and the University of Notre Dame.
Following events will be Tuesday, April 17, with Jack Lessenberry of Michigan Radio leading a discussion on “The Loss of American Consensus: Were We Better Off with the Cold War and without the Internet?”, and on Tuesday, April 24, Sarrah Buageila of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, leading a discussion on “Portraits of American Muslims: Civility in a Pluralistic Community”.
Kent County’s Board of Commissioners, Administrator’s Office and Cultural Insight Council are proud to host an event in memory of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on the 50th Anniversary of his assassination.
“Honoring the Dream” will bring the community together to demonstrate the unity and inclusion Kent County embraces. The event will be open to the public and held on Calder Plaza, April 4, starting at noon.
“For some of us, the terrible, tragic images of April 4, 1968 are forever etched into our minds,” said Wayman Britt, Kent County Administrator/Controller. “We — as a society — have grown over the past fifty years. Unfortunately, we still see racism, divisiveness, and prejudice today. The goal of this special event is to bring awareness of the life and work of Dr. King and to reflect on how we all can strive to eliminate hatred and bigotry.”
The event was the idea of the Cultural Insight Council (CIC), a self-directed workgroup of more than two dozen individuals from County departments.
“We wanted to gather as a community and spend a few minutes reflecting on the lessons of Dr. King’s life and death,” said Darius Quinn, Human Resources Manager and Chair of the CIC, which was formed in 2001. “The CIC is dedicated to providing an environment where diversity, equity and inclusion are valued. This event is a reflection of the standard the County staff strives to achieve every day.”
The Board of Commissioners have voiced support for the King legacy and will present a Proclamation during the event.
“Kent County is ethnically and racially diverse,” said Jim Saalfeld, Kent County Board Chair. “Therefore, our ability to serve the public in a culturally-competent manner is critical to what we are called to do. I am proud of the work of the CIC and how the employees of Kent County are willing to address this important aspect of public service.”
For crowd planning purposes, the county asks for RSVPs at cic@kentcountymi.gov .
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus is Kent County Administrator Wayman Britt, who has been serving as Interim County Administrator/Controller starting in July 2017 before being named to the county’s top management position in January.
While Britt’s impressive resume includes positions at Steelcase, Inc. and Michigan National Bank before joining the county — and management oversight for the Health Department, the Community Development and Housing Department, and Veterans Services with the county — he also played basketball for the University of Michigan, and was part of the school’s National Championship runner-up in 1976.
Given this week’s Wolverine return visit to the Final Four, In Focus host Ken Norris just had to ask Britt about the lessons he learned on the basketball court and how that impacts his management style today.
Also on the episode, Christine Mwangi, founder and president of the Grand Rapids based Be A Rose non-profit, which advocates for and educates on women’s health issues. She was born in Kenya, immigrated to American when she was 11, gained a bachelors degree in the United States and a masters in the United Kingdom. Now, while she is now firmly rooted in West Michigan, Be A Rose’s name and inspiration returns, again, to Africa and to Mwangi’s paternal grandmother.
The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The episode will debuted on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, March 27, and will again air on Thursday, March 29, also at 6:30 p.m., and will continue on the same days and times the week of March 19. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.
Wyoming Junior High eighth-graders considered what is arguably the most debated sentence in the U.S. today: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.”
Like in many discussions surrounding interpretation of the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, students’ questions and comments focused on the words “militia” and “well-regulated” and what they mean in relation to the rest of the sentence. Their definitions varied concerning the intention of the amendment.
Prior to the March 14 student walkout protesting gun violence in schools, Wyoming Junior High eighth-graders read and discussed different perspectives — right, left and center — on the amendment, gun rights and what measures should be taken to stop mass shootings.
While learning that much is up to interpretation when it comes to constitutional gun rights, students studied the history behind the amendment and reflected on how they feel it should apply to society today. They then wrote letters to legislators, adding their own voices to the debate.
Brian Juarez-Diaz jots down his thoughts
Considering Various Views
English teacher Shantel VanderGalien said she felt it was important to bring the topic into her curriculum, rather than avoid something on the forefront of students’ minds on days leading up to the National School Walk Out. She used a Mass Shooting Unitcreated by teacher, author and consultant Kelly Gallagher, with sources including articles both supportive and against stricter gun laws. They listened to a podcast, shared in groups to hear different opinions, and considered pros and cons of each side of the gun-control debate.
“I feel like we have to create time and space for our students to reflect on important issues,” VanderGalien said. ”If there is a way I can get them to read, write and think critically about those issues, I want to give them that time and space.”
She said she hopes the unit encourages students to keep up with the news, learn facts surrounding issues, and listen to varying points of view.
“I want them to be informed and make their own decisions,” in an age when people tend to avoid or “unfriend” those with whom they disagree, she said. “I feel it’s important that we don’t hide, shy away or shun people who think differently, but instead we need to to lean into that discomfort, ask questions and seek to understand instead of isolate.”
Eighth-grader Lizzie Ochoa listens to perspectives on the Second Amendment
Penning their Perspectives
Students wrote letters to local politicians including Rep. Tommy Brann (R-Wyoming), President Trump and Governor Rick Snyder.
Researching different sides of the debate provides a better foundation of information, said eighth-grader Trista Werkema, noting, “This is real-life stuff that can happen at any point in our school.”
She said she planned to emphasize in her letter that students’ perspectives matter.
“Just because we are kids doesn’t mean we don’t have knowledge about what’s going on,” Trista said. “We may even be more educated than our parents on it because they’re not reading all these articles and stuff like we are.”
Neveah Morofsky writes a definition of the Second Amendment
Added Marissa Menard, “As we get older, things will progress, social media will progress and that influences the way we think about things, so it’s important for us to know what’s going on in the world.”
She said she planned to push for increased gun restrictions in her letter.
“If this is the world we have to grow up in, it’s not going be a very safe world and we deserve the same opportunity as everyone else had.”
Eighth-grader Aleena Allen said it’s not enough to address just guns. She said her letter would support better resources for mental health.
Aiden Curtis takes notes on editorials about the Second Amendment
“It’s important to learn both sides so we can form our own opinions about what we think about this very controversial topic, so we can say, ‘Hey, this is what we think and we will argue our case and find out what other people think,’” she said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
Sandra Uwiringiyimana, author of How Dare the Sun Rise, will be visiting the Wyoming Branch of Kent District Library at 6:30 pm on Monday, March 26. Uwiringiyimana will tell the story of her survival, of finding her place in a new country, of her hope for the future and how she found a way to give voice to her people. A book sale and signing will follow.
“After reading Sandra’s heart-wrenching tale of survival, loss, family, love and ultimately hope, we are reminded of all the beautiful things that make our lives full – family, friends, freedom, safety, home, and the peace of mind this country brings,” said Abby D’Addario, youth librarian at the Wyoming Branch. “Refugees are our neighbors, and an intrinsic part of our lives. And refugees are people with real stories that need to be heard.”
Uwiringiyimana was just ten years old when she found herself with a gun pointed at her head. She had watched as rebels gunned down her mother and six-year-old sister in a refugee camp. Remarkably, the rebel didn’t pull the trigger and Sandra escaped. Thus began a new life for her and her surviving family members. With no home and no money, they struggled to stay alive. Eventually, through a United Nations refugee program, they moved to America, only to face yet another ethnic disconnect. Uwiringiyimana may have crossed an ocean, but there was now a much wider divide she had to overcome.
How Dare the Sun Rise, a profoundly moving memoir, is the remarkable and inspiring true story of a girl from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who tells the tale of how she survived a massacre, immigrated to America and overcame her trauma through art and activism.
This author visit is a part of the Grandville-Wyoming Community Reads 2018 program, which focuses on the challenges for refugees around the world who are seeking safety and a better life. A schedule of upcoming activities, which are open to the public and free, can be found athttp://kdl.org/communityreads/.
Community Reads sponsors include Grandville Education Foundation, Friends of the Grandville Library, Grandville Public Schools, Tegna Foundation, Wyoming Community Foundation, Wyoming Public Schools, Godwin Heights Public Schools and Mars Hill Bible Church.
PF Michigan Group, LLC (“PFMG”), one of the nation’s largest franchisees of Planet Fitness health clubs, will celebrate the opening of its newest Grand Rapids-area location in Wyoming at 958 28th Street SW on March 20 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
The grand opening event, which is being held with the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, is a free event and open to the public. It will kick off at 11 a.m. and include a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Immediately following, food and light refreshments will be served. The first 100 guests will receive a giveaway, and each guest will be entered for a chance to win a complimentary one-year PF Black® card membership and brand-new, 49” television.
Guests will have an opportunity to tour the new facility and network with other area businesses and residents. In addition, several local lawmakers, including Wyoming Mayor Pro-Tem Sam Bolt, will be present.
“We are very excited to be part of the community in Wyoming, giving residents access to our state-of-the-art facilities,” said Bryan Rief, one of the Northville, MI
-based franchise owners responsible for bringing Planet Fitness to Wyoming. In addition to Wyoming, Bryan and Laura Rief own and operate 38 other Planet Fitness locations throughout Southeastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Grand Rapids and Toledo.
Planet Fitness has plans to open an additional 12 to 15 Planet Fitness clubs in Michigan in the next 2-3 years, said Rief.
Never ones to shy away from a challenge, Wyoming High School student actors are bringing to the stage the quirky characters obsessed with spelling their way to perfection in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” a show that combines raucous humor and music with underlying themes that hit home for youth.
Cast members who are presenting the PG-13-rated Tony Award-winning musical comedy recently sat down to talk about how humor and satire can be used to start dialogue.
Taking on their roles has allowed them to go deep into character development, while recognizing strong themes of isolation, anxiety and abandonment.
“It generally highlights a lot of the problems kids actually face today while growing up,” said senior Nick Byrd, who plays “touchy, on-edge” William Barfee. Those include pressure to over-achieve; a hard time making friends; and even for adults, problems moving on from their past.
Added senior Caitlyn Bulthuis, who plays spelling bee host Rona Perriti, “The humor the show brings to the audience is a way to start a conversation that needs to be talked about, especially around abandonment and always feeling like you have to achieve.”
Juan-Pablo Angel Marcos plays last year’s spelling bee champion
Caitlyn said many teens are overwhelmed by their hyper-scheduled lives, like some characters in the play.
“It’s a lot of pressure for kids and I think the kids in the play, even though they are excited to be in the spelling bee, they feel a lot of pressure to do well,” she said. “It’s a good way to start a conversation for students and adults.”
Another theme is winning at all costs, said Juan-Pablo Angel Marcos, who plays “boy scout” Chip Tolentino. There is so much emphasis on winning, he said, that characters dismiss other things that should be more important.
Senior Mellisa Hadzikic agreed.
“They are so focused on this one topic that it kind of consumes them,” said Mellisa, who plays the “shy” Olive Ostrovsky. “Their parents have these high expectations and want them to succeed, but the kids are under so much stress from other things that are happening, it makes them want to explode.”
Mellisa Hadzikic performs during rehearsal on stage
Many ‘Firsts’ for Theater Company
Jeremy Schnotala, 24-year Wyoming theater director whose repertoire includes high school performances of “Willy Wonka,” “Wizard of Oz,” “Cats,” and “Spamalot,” said the play includes a lot of firsts for the Wyoming Theater Company: It’s their biggest set yet, includes audience involvement that requires improv, and adds a “cheerleader” chorus that isn’t in the original production. Plus, serious issues span a wide spectrum of topics.
“What most excites me is how amazing my cast has connected with the story and with each of their roles,” Schnotala said. “I also love how the show juxtaposes humor and emotion. One minute you are laughing, and the next minute you’re crying. I’ve cried several times during rehearsal already. The show is honestly very touching and has some of the most tender moments, as well as the most raucously funny, of any show I’ve ever directed.”
Director Jeremy Schnotala has led Wyoming theater for 24 years, bringing big shows to the stage
Students said they love that Schnotala puts them up to big challenges.
“He respects us and understands we are people who are going to grow up and are growing up,” said senior Alexis Soto-Rodriguez, who plays the “desperate” Vice Principal Douglas Panch. “We are not just elementary school students who aren’t dealing with these grown-up topics. Not watering down or making it easier shows he has a lot of faith and respect in us.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
In October, Wyoming Public Schools Superintendent Tom Reeder tells the board of his district’s efforts to improve reading proficiency.
After 27 years of service to Wyoming Public Schools, Dr. Thomas Reeder announced his retirement which will take effect at the end of the school year.
Reeder began his career as a math specialist/coach in the District in 1991. He then served as Director of Academic Support for a short time before becoming Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in 2002. Reeder has been Superintendent of Wyoming Public Schools for the past seven years.
Reeder said that he hoped when he retired, that he would be jealous of where the District was heading. And he is. He said, “I have been extremely fortunate to work with a staff who not only shared in an endless list of joys and proud moments, but worked tirelessly to make a difference in the Wyoming community.”
Superintedent Thomas Reeder
The Wyoming Public Schools Board of Education accepted Dr. Reeder’s retirement letter at its March 12 board meeting. “It is an ideal time for me to end this chapter of my life knowing full well that Wyoming Public Schools is in very good hands,” Reeder noted following Monday night’s meeting. “Together we have made a difference. I am proud of all that has been accomplished, but always wishing it was even more or faster.”
“My goal was to leave much more than I took and leave the District better than when I came.” He hopes he did that every day for the 550 staff and over 4,300 students he has served. “With all of you, we are Better Together at Wyoming Public Schools.”
School Board President Craig Popma noted the Board will begin the search for Dr. Reeder’s replacement immediately with the intent of having the new Superintendent start on July 1, 2018.
“Dr. Reeder is one of the most dedicated leaders Wyoming Public Schools has ever had. He is a true visionary and a champion in helping grow our schools and community” Popma said. “His drive, dedication, and commitment is why Wyoming where it is today. Dr. Reeder was vital in bringing Wyoming together through some very difficult times. There is no one I would have ever wanted to work with during the consolidation of our high schools other than Dr. Reeder. He was able to take a very difficult situation and make it a positive outcome for our entire district.”
Prior to coming to Wyoming Public Schools, Reeder taught Math at Mason County Central High School in Scottville, Michigan for six years. He graduated high school here in Wyoming and then went on to earn his Bachelor’s from Aquinas, his Master’s in Education from Grand Valley State University and his Doctorate in Education from Eastern Michigan University.
Dr. Reeder serves on numerous community boards as an advocate for the City of Wyoming.
Dr. Reeder and his wife, Maggie, plan to remain close to the Wyoming community and enjoy time with their four children and eight grandchildren.
“It’s noisy, it’s loud,” said Steven Christensen of an AirBnB located near his home along Mayflower Drive in Wyoming. “You are trying to sit in the living room, trying to relax and people are coming and going, slamming doors all the time. It’s just loud. I had one time with a wedding … I have to go to work at five and they are out there at three o’clock in the morning hooting and hollering it up.”
Christensen and his neighbor Andrew Hanselman attended a Wyoming City Council work session earlier this year to encourage the city to host public hearings on short-term rentals such as AirBnBs, VRBO, and HomeAway, in an effort to create a city ordinance to regulate them.
At its March work session, the Wyoming City Council reviewed an ordinance that would prohibit all short term rentals for non-owner occupied homes. The proposed ordinance will be presented at Monday’s regular council meeting, which is at 7 p.m. at the Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
“So, if I owned a house, I could rent my room or a room in the house, the basement or something as a short-term rental and that would be completely acceptable,” said City Manager Curtis Holt as he explained the proposed ordinance. “If I own a house and I bought a house just for the idea of an AirBnB that would not be acceptable. If I own a house and let’s say I would be out-of-town for long periods of time and I wanted to hold that house, it would not be acceptable to do short-term rentals with it.”
Holt acknowledged that the ordinance would address the one property the city has received two complaints about. In general, the city has not received a lot of complaints about short-term rentals. He said in a recent search, city staff found about six properties listed as short-term rentals. The most the city has had at one time is around 12, Curtis said.
“Well, understand this short-term rental issue is far more prevalent in tourist destination type towns…,” Curtis said.
The tougher challenge would be enforcement, Curtis said. Mayor Jack Poll said he could see that as if he goes away for the weekend and his children came by to stay, it would be tough to determine if they were renting or just house guests.
Still several council members liked the simplicity of the proposed ordinance and it gave something for the city to refer to when a property owner is blatantly obvious in not following the rules.
The ordinance could have a short life. At the state level, both the House and the Senate have bills — HB5403 and SB329 respectively — in committee that would prohibit municipalities enacting zoning ordinance bans of short-term rentals. Rep. Steve Johnson said during a January Government Matters, cities would still be able to regulate short-term rentals through such means as noise, advertising, traffic or other conditions. The house bill remains in committee, Johnson said.
“There is a battle going with one side on the private property rights of an individual who owns a piece of property versus local control and what control a local municipality can have on it,” State Senator Peter MacGregor said of the proposed Senate bill. In the past couple of months, there has been little movement on either the Senate or House bill.
Holt said municipalities have several concerns about the state bills. It is the belief of many community leaders, including those in the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, that to avoid inspection requirements, landlords would change their leases to 28 days or less.
“The majority of people who own residential properties do a great job,” said Mayor Stephen Kepley during the January Government Matters meeting, “but then you have have five percent who don’t and if they don’t have to do something they aren’t going to do something.”
To prevent a “one bad apple” scenario, Kepley said city officials are hoping to prevent that loophole so as to keep the neighborhoods nice. Currently the City of Kentwood does not have any regulations on short-term rentals.
AirBnB has opposed outright banning of short-term rentals but does support fair regulations. In an October 2017 Crain’s Detroit Business op-ed piece, a representative for AirBnB said “by taking the nuclear option off the table (the banning of short-term rentals), this law would encourage communities to collaborate with local hosts on commonsense rules…”
The most popular Michigan destinations for AirBnB travelers is Detroit followed by Ann Arbor and then Traverse City. Traverse City does regulate short-term rentals like bed and breakfasts. Traverse City’s ordinance requires owners must be present when renters are there, be licensed and cannot be within 1,000 feet of one another.
Last summer, AirBnB did strike a deal with the Michigan Treasury to collect use taxes. It is estimated that about $1.5 million would be generated through the tax. The move also will allow the state to track and collect the six percent use tax that applies to nightly rental charges on stays in Michigan hotels for periods of less than a month. However the six percent use tax, currently, does not come back to the municipalities.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, two members of the Kent County Lead Task Force, a group which studied the issue of rising levels of childhood lead poisoning in Kent County, talk about a report recently presented to the County Commission which included a list of recommendations to combat the problem.
And just in case you think lead poisoning is only a problem of heavily urban areas such as Flint, consider that in 2016 the county being statistically the third worst in the state.
In Focus host Ken Norris talks with Kent County Commissioner Emily Brieve and Adam London, the Health Officer for the Kent County Health Department. And, at one point, Brieve discussed the role of local city governments and individual rental property owners as part of the solution.
“Each municipality, each city has different rules, different regulations for rental properties, and rental inspections,” Brieve said. “So one of the things that was part of our recommendations was to gather that information, to see what a good practice would be, going on, and what we could recommend to those municipalities, how they should address lead in their communities. … I think it is a multi-facetted effort. There is an awareness on behalf of the renter and also the property owner. It is an awareness of how to take care of the property, how to fix it up. And also local government, keeping an eye, making sure the rules are followed.”
Also on the episode, The Rev. Dr. Weldon Frederick Wooden, just Fred to his friends and congregation at Fountain Street Church, who is one of currently two Democratic candidates attempting to unseat Republican U.S. Congressman Justin Amash in Michigan’s District 3.
The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The episode will debut on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m., will again air on Thursday, March 15, also at 6:30 p.m., and will continue on the same days and times the week of March 19. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of high school sports. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The high school boys and girls basketball season is in the state championship playoff stretch, but due to Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) rules the WKTV sports truck is done for the winter season.
However you can still get out and see some action as this year’s girls Semi-Finals and Finals will be held on the campus of Calvin College at Van Noord Arena and the boys Semi-Finals and Finals will once again be on Michigan State’s campus at The Breslin Center.
The early start to spring high school seasons is also on the horizon as the first pitches will soon be thrown in boys baseball and girls softball, along with girls soccer, boys lacrosse, boys and girls track, boys golf, girls tennis and soccer, and girls water polo.
While the spring broadcast schedule for the WKTV sports crew is still being completed it it expected to include boys baseball, girls softball, and girls water polo.
In general, all games will be broadcast the night of the event on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat later in the week. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99. All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The complete schedule of all local high school sports for the remainder of March is as follows. For any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/ .
Monday, March 12
Boys Basketball
TBD @ Grandville – Class A MHSAA Regionals
TBD @ West Catholic – Class B MHSAA Regionals
TBD @ Climax-Scotts – Class D MHSAA Regionals
Tuesday, March 13
No local contests scheduled
Wednesday, March 14
Boys Basketball
@ Grandville – Class A MHSAA Regionals
@ West Catholic – Class B MHSAA Regionals
@ Climax-Scotts – Class D MHSAA Regionals
Thursday, March 15
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class C MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ Calvin College – Class D MHSAA Semi-Finals
Friday, March 16
Girls Water Polo
East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class A MHSAA Semi-Finals
@ Calvin College – Class B MHSAA Semi-Finals
Saturday, March 17
Girls Basketball
@ Calvin College – Class D MHSAA State Finals 10:00 AM
@ Calvin College – Class A MHSAA State Finals 12:15 PM
@ Calvin College – Class C MHSAA State Finals 4:00 PM
@ Calvin College – Class B MHSAA State Finals 6:15 PM
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris
ken@wktv.org
Discussion ranging from international trade wars to local mental health care were presented Monday, March 12, as part of the Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce’s monthly Government Matters meeting. But those spring pot-hole problems took center stage early.
State Sen. Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, and state representatives Tommy Brann and Steven Johnson — all of whom represent parts of the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood — discussed the state’s present and future spending on the state’s roadways.
A road funding plan passed by the Michigan Legislature in 2015 included an increase in gas taxes and vehicle registration fees to raise $1.2 billion for roads. And while those funds will be spent in yearly portions spread over six years as the gas tax is phased in and contractor schedules allow, the Legislature also recently passed an additional $175 million in road funding for the upcoming construction season, with part of that money due to flow to local counties and cities.
“We are trying to address the issue,” Sen. Schuitmaker told the various government officials at the meeting.
But, talking about the flow of state funds to local governments, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley expressed concern about the “long-term viability” of such state funding commitments.
A more detailed discussion on the issue, along with discussion on other issues such as the state’s response to the federal tax cuts, changes to voter registration procedures and funding problems with Kent County’s mental health programs, were part of the latest Government Matters meeting.
The monthly meeting brings together government leaders of all levels to discuss issues of importance and presents those discussions through WKTV’s live, delayed and on-demand broadcasts.
The Chamber’s Government Matters meetings include representatives of the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming, Kent County, local Michigan House of Representatives and Senate, and, often, representatives of other regional, State of Michigan and Federal elected officials. The next meeting will be April 9 at Kentwood City Hall.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the Monday meetings on the following Wednesday at 7 p.m. on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. Replays are also available online at WKTV’s government meetings on-demand page (wktvondemand.com) and on the chamber’s Facebook page.
At Monday night’s Wyoming City Council meeting, the Wyoming-based Granger Group lost its second rezoning bid for property located southeast of the 56th Street and Wilson Avenue intersection.
Known as the Reserve at Rivertown, the Granger Group was seeking the rezoning of 98.4 acres that was a mix of zonings including estate residential, business and restricted office to a PUD-1 low density planned unit development. Many of the residents living in and near the development objected to the rezoning, having filed a protest petition.
Under Michigan’s Zoning Enable Act, a valid protest petition signed by at least 20 percent of owners within an area extending 100 feet outward from the boundary of land included in the proposed change would require a super majority vote for a rezoning to pass. This meant that for the Wyoming City Council to grant the rezoning for the Reserve at Rivertown, it had to pass by a 5-to-2 vote.
Earlier during the meeting, it was announced that First Ward Council member William Ver Hulst had officially retired, leaving the Wyoming City Council with only six members. Those members could only come to a 4-to-2 vote with Mayor Jack Poll, Mayor Pro Tem Sam Bolt, and Councilors Kent Vanderwood and Dan Burrill voting for the rezoning. Councilors Rob Postema and Marissa Postler voted against it. Because of the super majority requirement of a two-thirds vote of the entire council, the rezoning request failed, Poll said during the meeting.
Postema said during the meeting that he had some concerns over the Planning Commission approving the rezoning request since the 2018 plan was not much better than the one the city reviewed a few months ago and, he felt, it did not meet the city’s land use plan of incorporating the land’s natural features. The proposal would have utilized some wetlands for the development.
“I watched the planning commission meeting, Postema said, “…and the difference was whether it met the ordinance or not. And for rezoning you don’t need to meet the ordinance. It doesn’t make sense that you would use that as a standard of rezoning because that could apply for any rezoning anywhere by drawing something up that meets that ordinance for that particular zoning district.”
Postler said her concerns were similar but focused on “this dichotomy of it is either this or 2001.
“It’s A or B, but there is no C. But the fact that we had the same conversation like four months ago about the 2017 plan and it was either the 2017 plan or the 2001 and there was no option C, but we are here tonight talking about 2018 which would be option C.”
Postler said she could respect that the Granger Group would like to get something going on the property, but she just could not accept that the plan before the city council was the only option.
“I guess this narrative that we keep hearing is that if this doesn’t get accepted we are just going ‘to go back to the 2001 plan’ and I get that it legally can, but I don’t get that it has to,” she said.
Residents who spoke at Monday night’s meeting and at February’s Planning Commission meeting raised several issues, including overcrowding at the schools, traffic concerns, and legal issues over a home owner association requirement and whether the Granger Group could include the existing homes from first three phases in the new proposed PUD without the homeowners’ consent.
Poll, who lives in the area where the Reserve at Rivertown development is proposed, went through several of the concerns. He said the schools will make room for additional students. No matter what was built in the area, there would be more traffic, he said. And he noted that he did not believe the project would “destroy the panhandle” as some have indicated or have an impact on property values.
If the Granger Group does decide to go back the 2001 PUD plan, which has been modified by the city and the company since its original approval, the Granger Group would still need to seek approval from the city’s Planning Commission for site plans, plates and other items before any development could start, according to staff. The Granger Group has completed three phases based on the 2001 PUD.
Late last year, as they have at the end of each semester for the last three three school years, Wyoming High School students and teachers honored six exemplary students with the Alpha Wolf 11 Champion of Character Award — two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors.
And WKTV’s cameras were there to assist the school in recording the event.
There will be special airings of the event on WKTV cable channel 25 next week, with the Alpha Wolf Awards being broadcast Wednesday, March 14, at 5 p.m.; Friday, March 16, at 11 p.m.; and Saturday, March 17, at 11 a.m.
The Dec. 7, 2017, ceremony was attended by the student body, special guests from the Wyoming community, City of Wyoming city and public safety leaders, school district administration and the Wyoming Board of Education members. There was also a special flag ceremony.
A special guest at the recent ceremony was the staff of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan and its executive director, Christy Buck, who spoke about the group’s Be Nice initiative. The program works in schools and the community to provide simple, common sense, ways to prevent suicide and be proactive to other dangers resulting from mental illness.
The Alpha Wolf program was led by teachers Jonathan Bushen and John Doyle, who started the program three years ago modeled on a program at Grandville high school, where he kids attended. But many teachers and staff members were involved.
First Ward Council member William VerHulst announced his retirement from the Wyoming City Council.
William A. Ver Hulst, the longest-serving Wyoming City Council member, announced his retirement at Monday night’s meeting.
Citing health reasons, Ver Hulst said that he would step down effective immediately from his representation of Wyomings First Ward. Ver Hulst, 77, served six years on the board of Wyoming Public Schools before being elected to the seven-person Council in 1993. He has served with four different mayors and 21 different Council members during his tenure on the Council.
The Wyoming City Council plans to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Ver Hulsts term, which expires in November. Those interested in being considered should submit a letter of their qualifications and a resume by Thursday, March 15, to City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg.
Wyoming’s First Ward encompasses Precincts 1 – 9. That area covers most of the eastern edge of the city which is Clyde Park Avenue to Eastern Avenue north of 36th Street and from Burlingame Avenue to Eastern Avenue south of 36th Street.
After resumes are reviewed, Council members will interview candidates during its special meeting on Monday, March 26, at 5 p.m. and select a replacement, whose tenure will begin at that time.
”As a community, we are deeply grateful for Bill’s decades of selfless leadership,” said Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. ”He has always had a heart to serve the community, which he has done with tremendous integrity. For Bill, it was never about advancing his own agenda he cared about his fellow Wyoming residents and did his best to represent their interests.”
Born and raised in Holland, Mich., Ver Hulst graduated from Holland High School. After a brief stint in the National Guard, he graduated from what was then Davenport College with an associates degree. He then attended Ferris State University, where he received a bachelors degree in accounting. He was offered a scholarship to attend Michigan State University, where he earned a masters degree in accounting before successfully completing the requirements to be a certified public accountant, or CPA.
Ver Hulst took a position working at the accounting firm Seidman & Seidman. He and his wife, Karen, bought a house on Plas Street SW in Wyoming, later moving to a home on Cranwood Avenue that they shared until her death in 2016. He loved the intimacy of the Wyoming community and the proximity to his church, Grace Reformed Church. The couple raised their three children, Clark, Julie (Dyke) and Bart in Wyoming.
Clark Ver Hulst said his father’s faith was the most important thing in his life and the driving factor in his decision to run for the school board first and then City Council.
“I remember campaigning with him when he was running for City Council,” Clark Ver Hulst reminisced. “I went door-t-door with him, and it was a great opportunity to say Vote for my dad; he really cares about the community and the people.
“My dad felt his accounting background and experience as a CPA would be beneficial to the City of Wyoming.”
And it was, according to City Manager Curtis Holt.
“Throughout his tenure, Bill made tremendous contributions to ensure our fiscal stability,” Holt said. ”Bill’s steady hand and wise counsel helped the City navigate safely through the Great Recession of 2008. The team at City Hall and I deeply appreciate his dedication and his passion for service.”
After leaving Seidman & Seidman, Ver Hulst went to work at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, where he spent more than two decades as chief financial officer. Before retiring a dozen years ago, he took a position with Priority Health, where he worked as an auditor.
Active in the community, Ver Hulst served on the board of Westown Jubilee Housing and is a longtime supporter of Words of Hope Ministries. Active in Grace Reformed Church, which he still attends, he has been a youth group leader, Sunday school teacher, after-school program volunteer and mentor. He still oversees the finances for the Reformed Church of America.
“Family has always been very important to my father,” Clark Ver Hulst said. ”He has been a great dad to the three of us and wonderful to his six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. When he was on outings with his grandchildren, it was always hard to tell who was having more fun my dad or the kids. He’s a big kid at heart.
“He was also an exceptional partner and outstanding caregiver to my mother, Karen. In the last two years of her life, he was her round-the-clock caregiver and companion.”
Clark Ver Hulst noted that his father is a huge sports fan and very faithful to the Chicago White Sox and the Michigan State Spartans.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood sports events and government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)
Mike Moll, WKTV Volunteer Sports Director
sports@wktv.org
March brings to close the remaining winter sports seasons while at the same time opens the spring portions of high school sports. March Madness, the high school version, will have the WKTV sports coverage crew out at Wyoming Kelloggsville this week for the Class B District 57 tournament.
On District 57 opening night, tonight, Monday, March 5, Grand Rapids South Christian (13-7 on the season) will battle host Kelloggsville (17-3) at 6 p.m., to be followed by Godwin Heights (19-1) going up against West Michigan Aviation Academy (13-7).
After semifinal action on Wednesday, March 7, the crew will also be at the District championship game at Kelloggsville on Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m. In the Wednesday games, the winner of the first game Monday will play Wyoming Lee (4-16) at 6 p.m., while the winner of the second game will play Grand River Prep (9-9) at 8 p.m.
The winner of the District 57 tournament will move on to the Class B Regional at Grand Rapids West Catholic.
As for the other high school sports, the crowning of state champions began the opening weekend of the month as boys and girls bowling was at four various sites around the state depending on their division, girls cheer was at The DeltaPlex in Grand Rapids, and all classes of boys wrestling were at Ford Field in Detroit for individual State Finals.
Boys hockey Regionals were also the first weekend of March, followed by their Quarter and Semi-Finals and eventually drop the puck for State Finals on March 10. That same weekend, March 9-10, girl’s gymnastics perform their final routines of the season and boys swimming and diving takes their last plunge into the water to conclude their years.
On the hardcourt the Michigan version of March Madness continues for both boys and girls as Districts are in the books for the girls and the boys Districts are this week, s the girls move on to the Regionals, Quarter-Finals, Semi-Finals and eventually Finals. This year’s girls Semi-Finals and Finals will be held on the campus of Calvin College at Van Noord Arena and the boys Semi-Finals and Finals will once again be on Michigan State’s campus at The Breslin Center.
The early start to spring seasons will include the first pitches thrown in boys baseball and girls softball, along with girls soccer, boys lacrosse, boys and girls track, boys golf, girls tennis and soccer, and girls water polo.
The spring broadcast schedule is still being completed but should be including boys baseball, girls softball, and girls water polo.
WKTV’s featured Monday games will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 starting at 11 p.m. and Wednesday, March 7, starting at 5 p.m. The Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All covered games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The complete schedule of all local high school sports action through the end of the month. For any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/ .
Monday, March 5
Boys Basketball
West Michigan Aviation vs Godwin Heights @ Kelloggsville – MHSAA Districts
South Christian @ Kelloggsville – MHSAA Districts
Byron Center @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Middleville T-K @ Wyoming – MHSAA Districts
Tuesday, March 6
No games scheduled
Wednesday, March 7
Boys Basketball
TBD @ Caledonia – MHSAA Districts
TBD vs Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville – MHSAA Districts
TBD vs Grand River Prep @ Kelloggsville – MHSAA Districts
Zion Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian – MHSAA Districts
Potter’s House vs Holland Calvary @ Tri-Unity Christian – MHSAA Districts
Boys Hockey
TBD @ Dimondale – Division 1 MHSAA Quarterfinal
Thursday, March 8
No games scheduled
Friday, March 9
Boys Basketball
TBD @ Caledonia – MHSAA District Finals
TBD @ Kelloggsville – MHSAA District Finals
TBD @ Tri-Unity Christian – MHSAA District Finals
Girls Gymnastics
MHSAA Team State Finals – Rockford
Boys Hockey
TBD @ Plymouth – Division 1 MHSAA Semi-Finals
Boys Swimming/Diving
Division 1 MHSAA State Finals – EMU
Division 2 MHSAA State Finals – Oakland University
Division 3 MHSAA State Finals – Saginaw Valley State University
Saturday, March 10
Girls Gymnastics
MHSAA Individual State Finals – Rockford
Boys Hockey
TBD @ Plymouth – Division 1 MHSAA State Finals
Boys Swimming/Diving
Division 1 MHSAA State Finals – EMU
Division 2 MHSAA State Finals – Oakland University
Division 3 MHSAA State Finals – Saginaw Valley University
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus, Kevin Polston, Superintendent of Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, talks with program host Ken Norris about his school district’s upcoming request for public support of an extension of an existing sinking fund millage — an effort to improve safety, security and technology while allowing more general fund dollars to be spend in the classroom.
Also on the episode, State Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, a Republican who currently represents the 26th District, which includes the City of Kentwood, talks on a wide-range of topics, including the opioid crisis and her coming effort to become Michigan’s next Attorney General.
The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The episode will continue on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, March 6, at 6:30 p.m., will again air on Thursday, March 8, also at 6:30 p.m. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVVideos.
It required a few takes for Wyoming’s Parkview Elementary School third-grader Yaretzi Martinez to record her presentation in front of a green screen, so she shared directly with a visitor the details about Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas.
“Gabby Douglas showed us to follow our dreams because she followed her dreams. Gabby won the gold medal when she was 16,” Yaretzi said.
Parkview Elementary third-grader Yaretzi Martinez records her presentation on gymnast Gabby Douglas in front of a green screen
Yaretzi and her novice tech crew, including third-graders Aiyana Velez and Yamileth Ramirez, were recording in the school hallway. She completed her piece after a couple snafus: poor lighting, an accidental press of the delete button and a few noisy passersby.
“She got hurt and didn’t give up,” Yaretzi said of the Olympic champion.
Students in teachers Julie Tessier’s and Michele LeMieux’s classrooms took a multimedia approach to writing biographies. After researching and writing about historical figures and famous people — including Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Michael Jordan, Johannes Brahms, Helen Keller and Amelia Earhart — they recorded their work like mini-broadcasters.
They edited in photos of their subjects to be projected behind them on their recordings. They used iPads, a green screen app called Do Ink, a teleprompter app and a website called Flipgridto create their work.
Many students chose African-American historical figures, tying their work to Black History Month.
Third-grader Manuel Gomez Perez plays his finished presentation on Harriet Tubman on an iPad
Third-grader Manuel Gomez Perez chose Harriet Tubman. “She led 300 slaves to freedom,” he said.
About using the green screen: “It’s fun!” he said. “There’s a giant picture behind you.”
Tessier said she wanted to challenge her students to bring their projects to life, combining writing and technology. She said many of her students studied people who overcame remarkable obstacles, offering a message of perseverance for students.
Multimedia tools support learning in a way students — savvy in technology — are used to. “This is the world they live in,” she said.
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
There are decorated classrooms and then there’s Wyoming’s Gladiola Elementary School teacher Jennifer Blackburn’s decked-out classroom. Seeking to appeal to and stimulate her first graders’ senses and give them a home away from home, Blackburn’s classroom is a student mecca of comfy chairs, whimsical decorations and colors.
At first glance, girls seated at a dining room table could just as easily be having a tea party as doing math. There’s ample student artwork mixed in with twisty borders and loopy streamers. Rather than working at desks or even assigned tables, students settle into camping chairs, antique rockers and wicker seats or choose backrest pillows for cozy reading on the floor. The walls are painted a calming blue Blackburn used at her own house; paper-lantern globes hang from the ceilings and lamps illuminate soft light.
Alexis Winfield, left, and Brooklyn Weenum work at a wooden table
Three years ago, Blackburn became inspired to make her classroom more like home, from colors to furniture to lighting and decor. She’s hung curtains and added seat covers.
“I was trying to meet the different brain needs of students,” said the 18-year Wyoming teacher. She felt traditional classrooms were too sterile and institutional, and wanted a more inviting atmosphere.
“As a classroom it’s kind of like their second home, as well as mine,” she said, noting that she adds more seating and decor as her budget allows.
Appealing to Different Learners
Blackburn studied multi-sensory learning and flexible seating, both based on philosophies that students learn through movement and by using all of their senses. She wanted to give them a place they are excited about, call their own and feel comfortable learning, moving and growing.
Marlee Waldrop, left, and Carly Alonzo settle on the floor to do math
“I was going for an alternative style that provides comfort,” Blackburn said. “This kind of environment lends itself to them having ownership.”
Recently, in the midst of the energetic youngsters, Blackburn conferred with a student about her reading progress, pointing out big improvements. “That’s what we want to see, girl,” she said, offering a high five. Around her, students read and worked independently in spots of their choosing.
“I like to sit at the owl table,” said first-grader Francisco Castillo, referring to the dining room table, which has seats covered in an owl-patterned cloth. His classmate Yudexy DeLos Santos agreed, saying, “It is much more comfortable to sit at.”
But Oscar Hernandez, who said he likes the ABC decorations on the walls, had a different favorite spot: “I like sitting in the rocking chair.”
Blackburn’s goal is to give students opportunity and choice so they are independent learners. “A lot of brain-based learning has to do with movement. It’s student-led.”
In instruction, Blackburn encourages getting out of the seats. Students hop to count “ones” in math, stand like a stick to resemble a base 10 blocks. “It’s not a sit-and-get class,” she said.
To accommodate that, she’s always adding more touches of home to her classroom because she sees how students react.
“There’s a calmness. There’s definitely a pride of ownership in taking care of the items in the room,” she said. “They gravitate to certain areas of the classroom they find comforting to them.”
Check out School News Network for more stories about students, schools, and faculty in West Michigan.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood sports events and government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
The WKTV sports truck was on the road Wednesday night at the girls high school District 57 tournament at Wyoming Godwin Heights and, after the outcome of the early week tournament action, we have added the Friday, March 2, Class D District 98 finals at Wyoming Potter’s House Christian to our coverage schedule.
The 6 p.m. game will pit host Potter’s House (12-10 on the season) against West Michigan Lutheran (15-5). The two teams met previously this season, when Potter’s House won, 31-29, on Dec. 5, 2017. To get to the finals, Potter’s House defeated Holland Calvary, 37-27, on Monday; then defeated Tri-unity Christian, 25-22, on Wednesday. WML gained a bye in the first round and defeated Byron Center Zion Christian, 38-33, on Wednesday. The winner of the District 98 will move on to face the winner of District 99 in the Regional 25 bracket at Burr Oak.
The Potter’s House vs. WML game will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeated Saturday at 11 a.m., on WKTV 25 and AT&T U-verse 99.
Repeats of the two semifinals games WKTV covered Wednesday, Feb. 28, Wyoming Kelloggsville vs. West Michigan Aviation Academy and Wyoming Godwin Heights vs. Grand Rapids South Christian, will be rebroadcast Saturday after the District 98, at about 12:30 p.m.
And check back on Monday, March 5, to see where the WKTV coverage crew will be as boys basketball district action starts.
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The complete schedule of all local high school sports action, and for any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/
The new equipment allows them to connect the patient to the CPR compression device and let the machine do CPR perfectly and efficiently for any amount of time, thereby lessening injury to first responders and improving outcomes for individuals in critical situations.
By The City of Wyoming
The City of Wyoming Department of Public Safety – Fire recently partnered with the Metro Health Hospital Foundation to purchase much-needed emergency medical response equipment. The Foundation grant, which totaled $44,100, was used by the department to purchase three Zoll compression devices. These devices provide automated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to victims of sudden cardiac arrest.
City of Wyoming firefighters are trained and equipped as Emergency Medical Technicians, thanks to previous support from the Foundation for training and equipment. In this capacity they respond to more than 4,500 medical calls throughout the City each year. The medical interventions they provide include administering aspirin or EpiPens, using advanced airways, and checking blood glucose levels. They are often called upon to perform CPR as well.
Prior to being awarded the grant and obtaining the equipment, staff were required to perform CPR manually. The new equipment allows them to connect the patient to the CPR compression device and let the machine do CPR perfectly and efficiently for any amount of time, thereby lessening injury to first responders and improving outcomes for individuals in critical situations. The Zoll devices have already saved three lives since the department has started using them.
“Having three Zoll compression devices is a game-changer for our department,” said Brad Dornbos, EMS coordinator and firefighter for the Wyoming Department of Public Safety. “Thanks to the grant and the on-going support from the Metro Health Hospital Foundation, we are now able to administer a new level of care to our residents in their greatest time of need. Using these CPR devices allows another firefighter to perform other critical tasks early on to improve the outcome of the patient.”
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of Wyoming and Kentwood sports events and government meetings, including the monthly Government Matters meeting. (WKTV)
WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org
With the high school girls basketball season beginning state championship playoff action, the WKTV sports truck will head out twice this week for featured game coverage, possibly both nights at the District 57 tournament to be held at Wyoming Godwin Heights.
The first game of the District 57 tournament is tonight, Monday, Feb. 26, as Godwin Heights (10-9 on the season) takes on Grand River Prep (8-9) in opening round action.
WKTV will get involved on Wednesday, Feb. 28, with two semifinal games. Initial plans are for us to be at Godwin Heights for Wyoming Kelloggsville (4-14) vs. West Michigan Aviation Academy (2-14) at 6 p.m., and then the winner of the Monday night game against tournament favorite Grand Rapids South Christian (16-4) at 8 p.m.
Depending on the results of those semifinals, and other Wednesday night games involving Wyoming and Kentwood area teams, WKTV will either be at Godwin Heights for the District 57 finals, scheduled for Friday, March 2, at 7 p.m., or at another district final in the area. (Check WKTVjournal.org/sports after Wednesday night games for the Friday schedule.)
The Wednesday games will be broadcast that night on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat later in the week. Each Friday game will be aired that night on WKTV 25 at 11 p.m. and repeat Saturday at 11 a.m. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvondemand.com .
The complete schedule of all local high school sports action through the end of the month. For any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and features on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/ . (We will have the schedule for March shortly, so check back.)
Monday, Feb. 26
Girls Basketball
Grand River Prep @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
Potter’s House @ Holland Calvary – MHSAA Districts
Ottawa Hills @ East Kentwood – MHSAA Districts
Wyoming @ Christian – MHSAA Districts
Tuesday, Feb. 27
Boys Basketball
South Christian @ Byron Center
Godwin Heights @ Christian
Martin @ Potter’s House
West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic
Zion Christian @ Western Michigan Christian
East Kentwood @ Grand Ledge
Saugatuck @ Wyoming Lee
Comstock Park @ Kelloggsville
Calvin Christian @ Tri-Unity Christian
Wednesday, Feb. 28
Girls Basketball
TBD vs South Christian @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
West Michigan Aviation vs Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights – MHSAA Districts
Zion Christian vs West Michigan Lutheran @ Potter’s House – MHSAA Districts
TBD vs Tri-Unity Christian @ Potter’s House – MHSAA Districts
Several of the river flood warnings remain in effect for the Grand River and the Thornapple River, but the National Weather Service indicates the river levels are starting to recede. Staff from Kent County Emergency Management join several other agencies and departments who are now transitioning from monitoring to clean up and recovery.
Caption: Local river levels are starting to recede but many flood warnings remain in effect.
“Preparation and advance notification gave us an upper hand during this emergency,” said Jack Stewart, Kent County Emergency Management Coordinator. “We had teams of first responders, road crews, meteorologists, hydrologists, community leaders and residents helping keep us informed throughout the process. Most people followed the suggestions or directives of community leaders, and many offered to provide assistance where needed. It is this collaboration that helps keep everyone safe throughout these incidents.”
Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) reminds everyone that they can take materials that have been damaged or destroyed due to flooding (i.e. carpets, furniture) at either the North Kent Waste and Recycling Center or South Kent Waste and Recycling Center. Rates vary based on the size of the load. DPW also accepts hazardous chemical waste through the SafeChem program. Check out http://www.reimaginetrash.org for more information on these services.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Western Michigan issued a warning this morning about potential scams involving “contractors” who go from town to town after a natural disaster and offer services. These scam artists are often unlicensed, uninsured and sometimes do only a portion of the work (if any at all). More about this can be found on the BBB website: https://www.bbb.org/western-michigan.
Kent County Parks staff are monitoring the flooding in the Parks. Most trails at Millennium Park are flooded and should be avoided. Other parks have localized flooding. Even once the waters recede, there will likely be debris and mud covering portions of the trails.
Many road closures are still in effect and could remain in place throughout the week. Kent County Road Commission continues to provide updated road closures at www.kentcountyroads.net.
Two orders remain in effect asking residents to stay away from floodwaters. The Kent County Health Department issued a “no-contact advisory” and the City of Grand Rapids has issued an order to close the Grand River within city boundaries to recreational use, including anglers and watercraft. The orders remain in effect until further notice.
KCRC Roads Closed Due to Water over Road (February 26, 2018 at 9:45 a.m., subject to change)
Whipple (Shaner to Myers Lake)
Ashley Ave (7 Mile Rd to M-44)
Joyce Dr (Cannonsburg Rd to Ramsdell Dr)
Westbound Chicago Dr on ramp to west bound I-196
Konkle (east of Jupiter)
Indian (off West River)
River Point (off Indian)
Abrigador Trail (off West River)
Abrigador Trail (off West River Center)
Willow (off 4 Mile Rd)
Willow (off Canright)
Willow (off Bailey Park)
Walnut Park (off Northland Dr)
Shady Dr (off Knapp St)
Forest Ridge (off Coit Ave)
60th St (Pratt Lake Ave to Montcalm Ave)
64th St (East of Pratt Lake Ave)
Jackson St (M-21 to Oberley Dr)
Grand River Dr (Jackson St to Montcalm Ave)
Mall (off West River Dr)
Austerlitz (off West River Dr)
Riverbend (between Butterworth and Veterans Dr) (City of Walker) Veterans Dr (between Maynard and Butterworth) (City of Walker) Indian Mounds Drive (City of Grandville)
White Street west of Wilson Avenue (City of Grandville)
White Street east of Wilson between Church and Ottawa (City of Grandville)
Division north of the RR tracks (City of Grandville)
Franklin between RR tracks and White Street (City of Grandville) Sanford north of Nardin (City of Grandville)
Busch Drive (City of Grandville)
Chicago Drive at East (Wyoming) City Limit (Outside lanes only) Broadway Avenue north of RR tracks (City of Grandville)
Chicago Drive at Rush Creek (Jenison) including I-196 ramps Wilson between Chicago Drive and M-11 (City of Grandville)
Singing and dancing on Grand Rapids Civic Theatre’s stage is certainly a direct opposite of what Wyoming resident Kallie Piette does during the day.
She works for her family’s company, the Great Lakes EMS Academy on Division Avenue in Wyoming, where she works with new students coming in and also teaches CPR and first aid.
“It’s hard work to do a show,” Piette said. “It’s three months of Monday through Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. rehearsals and then you have the shows on top of that.
“But for me, it’s almost like play time because I get to pretend and I get to sing and dance along with being with friends.”
This week, Piette marks her 15th production with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre as part of the ensemble cast of the company’s winter production “My Fair Lady.”
“I love the music,” said Piette, who is a cockney woman and a servant maid in the production. “It’s classical musical theater and it has been awhile since anyone around here has presented it. What makes ‘My Fair Lady’ so unique is the music is complicated but it doesn’t sound difficult once you get it.”
The 1956 Broadway musical starred Julie Andrews and Rex Harrison, who would later reprise his role as Professor Higgins in the 1964 film which also starred Audrey Hepburn. The story centers on the snobbish phonetics professor Higgins who agrees to a wager that he can take a flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, and make her presentable in high society. The musical features one of the most famous lines in theater —which is also a song — “The rain in Spain falls mainly in the plane” along with such songs as “I Could Have Danced All Night,” Wouldn’t It Be Lovely?” and “Get Me To the Church on Time.”
“‘Ascot Gavotte’ is amazing,” Piette said of the songs in the musical, “That is one of my favorites.” The song features the ensemble, which Piette is part of, dressed to the nines at a horse race track where Professor Higgins presents Eliza for the first time.
“The talent is amazing,” Piette said. “The performers are incredible, and the costumes, well, from what I have seen, they are pretty amazing.”
At the time of this interview, Piette had not seen the full costumes but was scheduled to later in the evening. We both, however; agreed costumer Bob Fowle would certainly wow with “My Fair Lady” as it calls for some impressive designs.
“My Fair Lady” runs through March 18 at Grand Rapids Civic Theater, 30 N. Division Ave. Show times are 7:30 p.m Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m Sunday. Tickets are $18-$37. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit grct.org.
It would have been easy for Metro Health-University of Michigan Health to just dispose of the huge banners created as temporary building signs when the two health care providers joined in 2016. But that’s not their way of doing business.
So, when permanent signage was placed on the healthcare providers’s hospital, located at 5900 Byron Center Ave SW in Wyoming, the temporary signs were put into storage and discussions started on how to recycle them in some way.
That is when Metro Health Foundation’s impACT Board, and a burgeoning relationship with Mel Trotter Ministries, came up with the answer — make blankets to help the homeless in our area.
On Feb. 16, a total of 145 weather-resistant blankets, along with several bags containing personal care items, were delivered to Mel Trotter Ministries in the Heartside of downtown Grand Rapids.
Dean Herried, Mel Trotter Ministries (WKTV)
“These blankets are going to be utilized by individuals and families here to help keep them warm during these cold winter months in Michigan,” Dean Herried, chief engagement officer for Mel Trotter Ministries, said to WKTV. “We are so thankful for our partnership with the impACT Board, with the University of Michigan Health Foundation, with Metro Health Hospital Foundation, for their generous donation of these blankets. We would not be able to do this without their help and assistance.”
The four original banners were made to be weather-proof — they hung on the hospital for more than six months and took a lot of beating — and, with the addition of the felt, the blankets now can provide some protection from the cold as well. Some of the material was also turned into bags to be filled with a blanket and other personal needs, also to be given out to the homeless through Mel Trotter Ministries.
“This really helps Mel Trotter fulfill our mission of showing the compassion of Christ through programs of restoration and rescue in our community,” Herried said.
In a different way, the donation — and the work put into turning banners into blankets — fulfills the mission of Metro Health-University of Michigan Health.
Trevor Mier, Metro Health-University of Michigan Health. (WKTV)
“This donation really came about as a result of us having a long history of sustainable practices at the hospital,” Trevor Mier, Support Services administrator for Metro Health-University of Michigan Health, said to WKTV. “We hated to think about these temporary banners being thrown away once we are done with them. So we came up with the idea of recycling them into something, but we were not exactly sure what that was going to be.”
The healthcare provider had some discussions, decided it would be a good idea to establish a relationship with Mel Trotter Ministries, through the impACT Board, to support the ministries’ efforts to help the homeless. And the idea was born.
“What if we took those banners and turned them into blankets for the homeless at Mel Trotter?” Mier said. “So we reached out to a vender we had used before in the past, and they cut up the banners into 3(foot) by 5(foot) sections, sewed a little bit of felt onto them, and turned them into these great blankets for those in need downtown.”
The goal of the Metro Health Hospital Foundation’s impACT Board, according to its website, is “Mobilizing community through change-makers, who use their skills and careers to drive vital change. … Many people want to make a difference, but turning good intentions into tangible impact can be hard. With the Foundation impACT Board, professionals and community do-gooders become the most effective change-agents they can be by taking on community health projects, volunteering at organizations with like causes and building a strong network of brand ambassadors for Metro Health Hospital Foundation.”
On Feb. 20, at approximately 9:31 p.m., officers and firefighters from the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a train derailment which occurred underneath the 28th Street overpass just east of US-131. Two engines pulling the northbound train overturned when they reached a section of track that had been washed out due to recent heavy rain combined with snow melt. Emergency personnel rendered aid to two railroad employees who were injured as a result of the derailment. One patient was subsequently transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The derailment resulted in an unknown amount of fuel being spilled from the engine. Emergency crews worked with Young’s Environmental Cleanup Inc. and Wyoming Public Works personnel to contain and mitigate the spill. No other chemicals or cargo spilled and there were no hazardous materials being carried in the train cars. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources were notified.
This incident resulted in 28th Street and 32nd Street being shut down overnight. 28th Street has reopened, however, 32nd Street remains closed at this time. It will remain closed until the train can be moved later today. The incident is still under investigation and the public is being asked to avoid the area.
